August 19/13 12:33 pm - 300 Join Steve Bauer for Training Ride

Posted by Editoress on 08/19/13
 

On Saturday (August 17th), Centurion organizer Graham Fraser and Steve Bauer put on a free training ride for next month's main Centurion ride in the Collingwood area. Over 300 people showed up for a cruise through the beautiful Niagara wine region, with the ride starting and finishing at the Staff Winery near Jordan Station. Riders came from as far away as Ottawa. Riders could participate in the 50 or 100 kilometre rides, with groups of roughly 25 leaving every five minutes from 9:00 am, sorted by average speed and each with a ride leader. Afterwards, roughly a third stayed for a barbeque and wine tasting, plus a talk by Steve Bauer on preparing for the Centurion.

Steve Bauer (right) rolls out leading a group for 100 km ride

CC editor Rob Jones and Cafe Domestique's Krys Hines pose in front of the Staff Winery

Krys Hines, of Cafe Domestique fame, was offering shots of caffeine to get riders started in the morning, and invited me down for a rare opportunity for both of us to actually ride our bikes. It was one of those perfect late summer days - not too hot, sunny, almost no wind, and company to chat as we rode sweep behind the final 50 kilometre group. I want to thank Steve and Graham for putting on this event, and Krys for inviting me.

For those interested, there is still space on the Centurion ride, plus a very few openings for Steve Bauer's Yellow Jersey Experience at the Centurion. A select few riders will have a real VIP experience at the Centurion - dinner the night before MC'd by Bauer's former team mate and Tour de France commentator Bob Roll, limited edition jersey, dedicated mechanical service on the ride, etc. All for $500, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the Milton velodrome fundraising campaign. For more information, visit Here

Team Ancaster ready to roll

Below:  Entrance to Staff Winery

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